Tag Archives: baits

Hi fellow AMFisHers! This weeks AMFisH fishing vlog is a very thorough video about how to sharpen the hooks on various styles of baits.

I have always said that no matter how sharp we think the bait hooks are we can always make them even sharper! These days right out of the package, baits come with some really sharp hooks, but using a hook file to make the points sticky sharp is the key to many fish being landed due to an amazing hook up ratio!

A hook file like the one I use in this video does not cost much at all, between $4 and $6 at most fishing stores. These files will last a long time and do a great job at getting extremely sharp hook points, so by far this is the #1 tool to use for this.

I shot this video that I had on my list of vlogs, as I have been asked many times how often to sharpen hooks and what to use, so that is the reason why I go over everything in this video in such depth so it is as clear as possible for everyone out there still learning.

Key thing before sharpening any bait hook is to observe the hook itself, making sure that you see how the hook shape is to prevent any damages to it. Most hooks are round so they are quite easy to sharpen by running the file along each side about 3 to 5 times or as needed to reach the optimum sharpness and hook point. I also include a few level off pushes with the file across the top center portion of the hook.

When sharpening any hook you will also want to push the file towards the point of the hook as this seems to be the easiest way to prevent hook point damage that can be caused doing it in the other direction. Following how the hook is structured is by far the most critical component to a sharp hook, as you do not want to change any portions of the hook design by running the file along areas it should not be grinding.

The term I used above about getting to really sharp hooks that are sticky, basically means that when you run a hook across the surface of your hand the point should stick along the way. This is what the term sticky hooks means, a hook that is so sharp it has stick points along the area it is being dragged on.

Sticky hooks means easier fast penetration into the fish, resulting in more fish staying hook on your line! It does not take long to sharpen bait hooks so time should be dedicated to examining them and sharpening them several times per day, especially if you bait has been in contact with the lake bottom or structure. If you have also lost fish that have come free that can be a sign that your hooks are in need of a good few second sharpening.

When it comes to the barb on the hook I rarely do much sharpening on it, as it is usually very small on most hook and you don’t want to file it right down, but can if you are fishing in barbless hook lakes. On larger bait hooks you can touch up the barb slightly with a couple of pushes of the file, as the material on that larger barb will be significantly more and allows for some filing.

I got myself a few of these hook files and always make sure I have one in my pocket where it is very handy and I can touch hooks up quickly. If you do not have it easily accessible you will probably not focus on sharpening and that can potentially cost you a fish of a lifetime, so make sure to sharpen those hooks on every outing.

If you are like myself where you have all the baits you are going to use on an outing ready on a work space, it’s good practice to sharpen all those baits at once before you start your outing, as they will be ready to go the second you need them. When you are switching out baits is also a good time to sharpen those hooks so the bait is once again ready to be used quickly should you decided to use it again that day.

Sharpening hooks take almost no time at all so it should be put on the priority list for every outing. Grab yourself a few hook files and put the time into creating those sticky hooks, trust me they will serve you well!

Hi fellow anglers, fishing enthusiast’s and AMFisHers! This week vlog is a full review of one of the coolest line cutting items I have ever used!

This is a must read blog post and video watch as I go over the Line Cutterz ring in great detail to show you why you need a few of these with you on all your outings.

I have used the Line Cutterz, LLC. ring for the last two fishing season’s and quite intensely I might add as I was far too impressed with this handy little tool not to!

We have all been there numerous times on a fishing outing battling with rusted pliers, rusted braid cutting scissors, rusted nail clippers and using handy knives that are just not safe, well those days are in the past now you can cut line quickly, efficiently, easily, on the first try and most importantly safely!

The Line Cutterz ring is a one size fits all item, as it comes with an adjustable velcro strap that can be attached to your fishing rod below your reel, you PFD zipper or even a keychain.

There one blade located inside the casing that is very secure and can’t cause any harm as the slots are not big enough for fingers to access the blade. It is a sharp blade that cuts all types of line from monofilament, fluorocarbon and braided lines. It will cut right up to 80 and 100 pound test braided line and even slice right through 28 loops of 30 pound test braided line as I did in a short video I posted previously to this post.

After using Line Cutterz ring the first few times the only thing I needed to overcome was not trying to grab for those pliers that are never in the right place, or that knife that I would use and would end up sliding down and almost stabbing me in the thigh. The ring is always exactly where I would leave it on my finger!

This is one handy item as I am a hardcore kayak fisherman and battle space issues for all my gear, so there are times where I can only take 2 to 3 rods with me which results in cutting lines several times per day to put on new baits. It was instant relief when this product came out, as I was so tired of crimping and crushing my braided line with scissors and pliers that would take forever to finally cut through. Now it is just a little pressure across that secure blade and the line in cut in a split second.

The Line Cutterz ring also leaves a nice straight edge across your braid, no more frayed ends lines scissors and pliers leave, a clean slice through that leaves your braid intact. From cutting frayed line off your main line to cutting tag lines for baits you have just tied on, this product will make things so simple you will flat out be impressed as much as I was!

By far one of the best line cutting tools I have ever used and very quickly became the only line cutting tool I use! I even carry this with me on hikes and camping trips where it allows me to cut various twine and paracord for anything that is needed.

As many outdoorsman know even the smallest injury in nature can flat our cripple our ability to do the simplest things, which is why this ring eliminates those injuries when cutting rope or fishing line and you can’t beat safety at it’s finest!